Basically they got it all wrong. Price for what it is isn't justifiable. Had it been 25k as it is being offered currently then yes. At 32k for the spec I would want and only 170 bhp... no chance. Styling isn't particularly special and many, me included think the Fiat is the better looking of the two. Wheels also look awful as does the rear styling.

It should have been so much more wild and currently with this first model, it really isn't. Too expensive for what it is.

Great car to drive it's got bags of character, the exhaust is amazingly vocal.

In terms of how I personally saw it, I still don't like soft tops. The price is a concern, I also think it's on the high side but I can understand the argument that it's more of a premium car and it will hold value better. Again, I also think I like the Fiat body kit more.... eek!

It's early days, it's the same performance as the 2.0 MX-5, once Mazda hopefully release an MPS MX-5 rumoured around 2020, we will then see a higher powered 124, there are close ties with Fiat and Mazda as to not overshadow each other so I would be surprised if we see anything wild in the 124 until Mazda make the first move.

I would expect the coupe though next year, just like the 124 came a year after the MX-5, the hard top 124 will come a year after the MX-5 RF. Power probably wont change though, but it should technically be lighter than the convertible.

When people talk about Japanese quality, I think they mean build quality, the interiors tend to be a little bland but they are always put together REALLY well, that is coming from experience as well.

I had high expectations of the 124 when i saw on pictures and i wanted to love it.

I saw both the fiat and abarth pictures and liked it, then i went and saw the fiat 124 and thought it looked much better in the flesh so i was excited to go and see the abarth 1.....

oh dear...

it didnt do nothing for me.i really wanted to love it.

The fiat - personally is better looking and classier and i think a few subtle mods would make it look preety cool!. The price is about right,and has a few different options to tweak it so it has a good start already.

test drive - i liked the whole long bonnet but took a while to get used to but it wasnt that fun but it was comfy and a nice tidy interior. 1st time driving a 2 seater and i understand the appeal ofthe roof down, with the roof up i felt like being in a small cave .

onto the abarth test drive..
Looks - looks better in the pictures, but in real life a dirty flat red with those wheels did nothing for me at all. It looks awqward.
Test drive - nice seats, great monza exhaust, didnt feel that quick (not sure if it was on sport or not), it attracted the crowd but the handbrake...god its so nasty!way to high.
lack of options and a high price puts me off.

abarth have missed a trick here really real shame. This car should of been the car that helps continue the growth of abarth but sadly i dont think it will.

Because until the present car is more like this

https://www.abarthforum.co.uk/abarth-124-spider/much-more-like-it/

then it will flounder.........

yee same,really wanted to love it but i was happy enough to give it back. i didnt have the grin i had from the 500.

i jumped back in mine and the grin came back (Y)

i think i will consider 1 once a few better specs come, better colours, better wheels and if price is abit cheaper so maby 2nd hand market. power wise im not too fussed.

The Fiat 124 is a cool little car and perfect for open top touring, ideal for the USA. I just wish the weather was better here for it, ha ha.

I have driven both the Fiat and the Abarth version, love them equally as much but the Abarth is worth it for the exhaust alone, it reminded me of my 160 comp, the one that always popped when you changed gear, ha ha.

Just needs weight reduced a bit or more power to give it better performance than the 180 comp then I don't think I could resist.

I have had a bit of grief from certain Abarthies recently when stating the above opinion....way to expensive for what it is/offers. Glad I have some friends here

Yes, you will get some grief from a less mature forum, ha ha. Those that have them here love them and rightly so it's a great car, but it's obviously not to everyone's taste yet and it's nice we can have these discussions without resorting to arguments